As a content creator of nearly 10 years, Rebecca Gallop is used to setting goals, trying new ideas and challenging her way of thinking, all of which she shares on A Daily Something, her lifestyle blog that generates nearly 1 million viewers a month. While the blog initially served as a creative outlet for Gallop, it has since organically grown into a creative business platform that has been featured in national publications like BuzzFeed and Martha Stewart Living.
Despite the national attention, A Daily Something is all about the simple things that make life beautiful, many of which derive from Gallop’s lifestyle in Purcellville, where she lives with her husband and four kids.
Recently, when it became apparent that the coronavirus’s impact would be huge in the U.S., Gallop decided to launch the #LiveSlowChallenge—a project she had been working on for months—earlier than expected. The four-week program is meant to inspire others to live with more intention, simplicity and beauty through a series of challenges sent to your inbox on Sunday evenings.
And, as nearly 600 individuals recently signed up for the project, Gallop too has been instilling these values in her own mindset, as well as those of her kiddos, during the global pandemic. From out-of-the-box activities with the family to finding peace of mind, here’s an inside look at Rebecca Gallop’s life at home.
On spreading positivity:
When this first started, I realized how easy it would be to sit in my home, read Facebook articles (and comments) and to be overcome with fear. After a week of staying home, I decided—thanks to my husband’s insight and wisdom—that I wasn’t going to let fear govern my actions. Yes, I was going to stay home as instructed by executive orders, but I was going to love our neighbors, and live with intention. I wasn’t going to sit and do nothing or be fearful.
I decided I was going to use this time as a way to help my community. To share uplifting content. To inspire them to live with intention, to look for beauty in their day-to-day living, to share some good news. It’s been an incredible opportunity to connect around inspiration and action instead of fear.
On life for her kids:
While most of the world is attempting to do public school at home, we very intentionally chose to home school our children a few years ago and have loved every second of it. So, on that front, life remains the same … Morning school lasts for about one to two hours, where we usually do reading, handwriting, writing and copy work during this time. Then we have more hours of schoolwork in the afternoon, usually math and history and/or science. Our home school includes lots of reading of quality, living books, and all the kids are part of read-aloud time. We allow some educational screen time in the afternoons … The Cincinnati Zoo has had a daily Facebook Live “Home Safari” at 3 p.m., introducing the kids to their animals and providing some fun animal-themed crafting prompts.
However, they haven’t really left the house in eight weeks, except to take a few rides in the car to a local farm to pick up our vegetable order. No library. No ballet. No soccer. No Grandma’s house. No babysitter. No church. No playgrounds. No friends. No extended family. It’s been rough, but they’ve been resilient. We’ve had lots of FaceTime calls. I’m so thankful for our backyard; they’ve been playing out there every spare minute. I’ve seen their imaginations come alive recently, and I think it’s out of the necessity of our situation. I’m really thankful for this time to strengthen our family and our appreciation for being home.
On the power of living slow:
I started my #LiveSlowChallenge to help you realize that slow living doesn’t have to be a “some day” goal, but rather, it can be a gentle lifestyle change that you can start right now. Over the course of one month, you receive a “live slow” challenge email in your inbox each Sunday evening. You apply the challenge each day that week, with the goal of forming new rhythms and routines that you will continue for weeks, months and years. It’s an ongoing challenge, and anyone can join at any time!
On how she stays entertained:
New-to-us art projects (my friend, Merilee, has the most incredible printables); walks every day; gardening together as a family; watercolor painting; audio books; Disneynature—it has beautiful nature documentaries; making mealtime extra special with cloth napkins, lighting candles and eating on the living room floor; no-reason surprise parties; snack dinners. Audio books especially have been our best friend—they bring the family together and help to ignite the kids’ imaginations!
On adapting:
The kids have had more screen time than normal, and that’s OK. Right now, they’re watching a fascinating documentary on flamingos (and I’m having a hard time not being distracted by their pink beauty)! As soon as I finish what I’m working on, we’ll transition to our morning school schedule. It’s a dreary, rainy day today, and we’ll likely watch something else later this afternoon since playing outside isn’t an option. And that’s OK! We’re taking this one day—sometimes one hour, a few minutes—at a time, and starting fresh when we need to.
On her latest read:
Huckle & Goose Cookbook; it’s a cookbook and book hybrid, full of “recipes and habits to cook more, stress less and bring the outside in.” A highly recommended read at this point.
On what gives her solace:
My morning routine has been wonderful: slow-pour-over coffee, quiet time to read alone, catch up on writing. Streaming church on Sundays together as a family in our living room has also been a necessary part of our week. And, just trying to be present for the kids, and taking time to make our mealtimes more meaningful.
On words of wisdom:
Don’t strive for perfection. This is a crazy, unprecedented time, and our lives have been turned upside down. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all of this—the working from home, the unknown impact this will have on our economy, the fear for those who are most at risk from the virus, etc.
Rather than allowing ourselves to be overwhelmed, try to focus on something positive each day and make one small change. For one week, try making a gentle adjustment to your morning routine to help bring calm and order to your day. Then for one week, try to make one meal per day a little more special. Or, save your sanity and serve a snack meal every single day instead of making something from scratch. Apples and peanut butter. Popcorn and carrots. A fridge clean-out cheeseboard, etc.
Remind yourself that you’re not alone. Reach out to your neighbors (and ask for help if you need it yourself!). And remember, this will come to an end.
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